NEW FOUR-YEAR EQUINE LAMINITIS STUDY UNDERWAY AT THE AHT

A new research project aiming to help horse owners reduce the impact of laminitis is being undertaken by our charity in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

The four-year study, generously funded by World Horse Welfare, will take a closer look at management factors which may contribute to the development or recurrence of laminitis within the British horse and pony population. Through modifying these contributing factors, it is hoped that horse owners can significantly reduce the impact of this important welfare problem.

The aim is to create a website where owners from all over the country can register their horses and ponies and assist in the regular gathering of information related to potential risk factors for laminitis, over a period of two years. This will help establish a timeline of events and get a better understanding of the factors leading to laminitic episodes.

The study, to be conducted by PhD student, Danica (Dee) Pollard, will follow-up on previous research conducted by Dr Claire Wylie in which factors such as rapid weight gain, increasing time since last deworming, box rest in the previous week and new access to grass in the past month increased the risk of laminitis.

Dr Wylie’s study also revealed that factors such as feeding of additional supplements and transport in the previous week were associated with a reduced risk of laminitis. These factors are all modifiable, meaning they could be changed by the owner, and this is why they are of particular interest to the new study.

Dee Pollard, currently based at our charity, said: “This will be a very exciting opportunity for owners to be at the frontline of equine health research and contribute to a study which aims to provide evidence-based preventative strategies to combat laminitis.”

Horse owners interested in taking part in the research project are asked to register their interest via email to danica.pollard@aht.org.uk

The Animal Health Trust is a veterinary charity, based in Suffolk, which offers clinical referral services and diagnostic testing for horses, dogs and cats in East Anglia, across the UK and internationally. Through its research programmes it develops new diagnostic tests, treatments and vaccines to help thousands of animals.